Reliability of the Beck Depression Inventory in opiate-dependent patients

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of depressive disorder in opioid-dependent patients in methadone treatment has been found to be between 19 to 74.3%. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is commonly used as a screening for depressive symptoms. The objective of this study is assessing BDI in opiate-dependent patients.Methods: A total of 415 patients over 18 years old in a methadone maintenance program that is part of an outpatient drug clinic treated with stable doses of methadone in the last month were assessed using Structured Clinical Interview for Axis I Disorders of the DSM-IV (SCID-I) and BDI.Results: A sample of 118 patients completed the evaluation; 77.96% showed depressive symptoms (N: 92) (BDI scores ≥ 10). Patients who met criteria for depression with SCID-I and BDI (6.7%) showed a higher score in BDI which did not reach significance. Statistical differences were found in the depressive group. Predictive value of BDI was 6.61% with a cut-off point of BDI ≥ 10, growing to 11.7% with a cut-off point of BDI > 30.Conclusions: BDI is not effective for diagnosing depressive disorder. An adequate psychometric tool is needed to improve the detection of depressive symptoms and depressive diagnosis in opiate-dependent patients in order to reduce risk of relapse and improve treatment strategies.